Chapter 383: The hive mind
The Leviathan hive moved as one across the vast expanse of terrain, their numbers forming an overwhelming tide that consumed everything in its path. From the sky, they appeared as a colossal dark wave rolling over the land—an endless sea of creatures advancing with purpose and precision. The ground trembled under the synchronized march of countless drones, their collective presence blurring the horizon between earth and sky.
At the forefront were the ground drones—small, insect-like beings less than half a meter in length. Interspersed among them were hundreds of insect-humanoid warriors, their multifaceted eyes scanning the surroundings with calculated intent and spreading among them were clusters of aerial drones moving along the ground to save energy. The elite units maintained significant distances from one another, hundreds or even thousands of meters apart—a strategic dispersion orchestrated by the hive mind’s vast intelligence.
The hive mind was acutely aware of the threats posed by the leaders of indigenous forces—beings capable of wielding powerful spells and attacks that could decimate even their most formidable warriors in a single strike. Through shared consciousness, the Leviathans knew that clustering their elite units would make them vulnerable to devastating assaults. Thus, they acted with wisdom, dispersing their forces to minimize potential casualties. Each unit moved in concert yet independently, a testament to their collective intellect.
As the massive hive approached the Zangon River—a wide, tumultuous barrier marking the natural boundary between Kylen Country and Karman Country—the hive mind analyzed the best course of action. Past encounters had taught them that the enemy exploited the conductivity of water to unleash lethal lightning attacks. Acting on this knowledge, the hive mind adjusted their formation.
A sharp glint passed through the eyes of the Leviathans as they began to form a disciplined column. Instead of swarming across en masse, they reduced the number crossing at any given time. Though this tactical adjustment would slow their advance, it was deemed the wisest path. The hive mind prioritized survival and efficiency over speed, demonstrating their capacity for strategic planning and foresight.
The ground drones were the first to cross. Their purpose was clear: to serve as the vanguard and, if necessary, as sacrificial units to protect the hive. They moved with unwavering determination, moving through the river. Upon reaching the opposite bank, they dispersed methodically, their senses attuned to any sign of danger. Finding none, they communicated this to the hive mind, allowing the rest of the Leviathans to proceed with calculated caution.
When it was time for the insect-humanoid warriors to cross, the hive mind implemented additional safeguards. While these warriors could traverse underwater without issue, submerging would expose them to hidden threats. Instead, they latched onto aerial drones, ascending into the sky to fly over the river. This maneuver minimized their vulnerability even more, showcasing the hive mind’s adaptability and strategic prowess.
The first group of warriors soared over the Zangon River without incident, followed by the second. Confidence resonated through the hive mind, reinforcing the effectiveness of their tactics. However, as the third group hovered above the river’s midpoint, a sudden disturbance rippled through the collective consciousness.
From beneath the riverbed—a place the Leviathans had deemed low-risk due to prior scans—a massive surge of energy erupted. The ground shattered as a colossal wave of water burst upward, engulfing the unsuspecting warriors and aerial drones. Hidden within the torrent were dozens of arcs of lightning, crackling with lethal intensity. The electrical currents tore through the Leviathans, scorching them from the inside out.